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  Laister-Kauffman TG-4A "Yankee Doodle" (Glider)  
   
 
 
 
SPECIFICATIONS            Serial # :  42-43740
Wingspan:  50 feet Cost:  $4,000
Length:  22 feet Max. Speed:  100 mph. Towed or free
Height:  4 feet Crew:  (2) (instructor and student)
Weight:  875 lbs.  
Engines:  None    
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
 

The TG-4A is a (2)-place, dual control glider manufactured for the Army Air Forces by the Laister-Kauffman Aircraft Company during WWII. To meet the urgent Army need in 1941 for a training glider, Laister-Kauffman adapted its Yankee Doodle mid-wing design. Three examples were ordered for evaluation as XTG-4 and (2) production contracts followed, each for 75 TG-4s with SCR-585 radio to permit communication between the glider and the towing aircraft.

The TG-4As wings were made of spruce and mahogany plywood covered with dope fabric. It is equipped with spoilers (used to increase decent) as well as ailerons. The fuselage is constructed of welded chrome-molybdenum steel tubing which is fabric covered. The landing gear is a single unsprung wheel with a disc brake. In addition, there are skids on the nose, tail and wing tips.

During WWII Robins AFB served as a logistics support base for all TG-4A assigned to the Southeast. The TG-4A on display was delivered to the Army Air Corps 1148th Glider Training Squadron at Ft. Sumner, New Mexico in November 1943. It was removed from service in September 1944. It arrived at the Museum in 1987 for display.